Department for Communities and Local Government

Non-domestic Rates

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the financial effect of the Budget announcement of changes to business rates relief on (1) local government across England, (2) councils in South Yorkshire, and (3) Sheffield City Council.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: These tax cuts provide significant support to local businesses. The Small Business Rate Relief measure announced at the Budget will mean 600,000 of the smallest businesses will not have to pay business rates.Local authorities will be compensated in full for their loss of income as a result of these changes.

Local Press: Non-domestic Rates

Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the proposed £1,500 business rates discount for office space occupied by local newspapers in England outlined in the Budget will affect Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The £1,500 discount for office space occupied by local newspapers will be introduced in England for 2 years from April 2017. This measure will help to support local newspapers in England, alongside the other changes to Small Business Rate Relief. Business rates are devolved to Scotland and Northern Ireland and so this is a matter for the devolved administrations. Barnett consequentials apply to this measure in the normal way.

Ministry of Justice

Peers: Writs of Summons

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many writs of summons were sent to Peers in 2015, and how many were returned undelivered.

Lord Faulks: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 22 January 2016.The correct answer should have been:

704 812 Writs of Summons were sent out to peers at the Dissolution of Parliament on 30 March 2015. Information on the number of Writs that were returned is not held centrally.

Lord Faulks: 704 812 Writs of Summons were sent out to peers at the Dissolution of Parliament on 30 March 2015. Information on the number of Writs that were returned is not held centrally.